Sport fraternity has lost a giant and true patriot
Prolific journalist died at the prime of his time
Born: February 2 1977
Died: August 29
Funeral: In Johannesburg on September 7
Mzimasi Liphuma Mgebisa was passionate with sport and at home with American politics, and Donald Trump bore the biggest jibes and ridicule expressed in his daily tweets.
The larger-than-life former Sunday Times reporter died on Tuesday, aged 40. Mgebisa died at Charlotte Maxeke Johannesburg Academic Hospital following kidney failure.
“Mzi”, as he was affectionately known, was educated at the prestigious Queens College Boys High in Queenstown, Eastern Cape. He played rugby, as per the tradition of the school, when it came to the sporting code.
But his first love was football, and he would break the school tradition with his love for the beautiful game.
His love for football was inculcated by his father.
Mzi’s penchant for writing landed him at The Star newspaper while he was still in his teens.
He rocked up at the newspaper’s offices in Johannesburg in his school uniform, but renowned sports journalist Thomas Kwenaite duly sent the wannabe journalist back to school to finish his matric.
That worked for him as he returned to the Independent Newspapers, owners of The Star, armed with his certificate and was given the opportunity to do what he loved most – writing.
His captivating and well-researched stories quickly elevated him to one of the most sought-after young journalists.
It was not long before he joined the Sunday Times, where he continued to make a name for himself as a sport journalist. My friend also had the love for television – and he had the face for it.
He started his career path in TV as a part-time sport analyst at e.tv’s Toasty Show. He grew in stature and the television bug landed him a primetime slot. He joined the SABC in 2003 as a deputy sport editor.
At the time of his death, Mzi was working as a senior journalist, specialising in research and football analysis at the SABC. He was appointed managing editor in 2005 and was in charge of the SABC sport information hub, scriptwriting and researching. He left the SABC in 2009 but later returned and contributed diligently in all major productions covered by the SABC Sport.
These included the IRB World Cup in 2003, 2007 and 2011; the Olympics and Paralympics in 2004, 2008 and 2012; the Africa Cup of Nations finals in 2004, 2006, 2008, 2010, 2012 and 2013; the Fifa World Cup in 2006 and 2010; ICC Cricket World Cup in 2003, 2007 and 2011; and a number of Cosafa Cup tournaments and All Africa Games.
Mzi had very strong views on many topics around the various sporting codes. He was very difficult to move on his opinions, especially on anything to do with his beloved Orlando Pirates and Spanish giants Barcelona.
His ability to assimilate information helped him to critically analyse events, situations and dissect the various sporting codes that he handled with ease. Mzi also presented SABC TV sport show Sports on 2 with Lebo Motsoeli, which covered a wide-ranging sport issues.
The sporting fraternity has lost a giant and true patriot who was passionate about South Africa and its success. May his soul rest in peace. The memorial service will be held today at SABC M1 Studios, Radio Park, from noon.